The ultimate girl's day out with Tamara - Part 1, an ultimate lunch

(headboard sign)

Not long ago, I met a new friend in Fort Langley, BC. While our meet up was actually business related, I didn't expect to ADORE this gal and spend our day quite like this!

Decorators, brace yourself! I'm going to verbalize the inspiration as we go along.

(white lights on sides of house, detail moulding on door above glass)

Meet Tamara, who runs Darvonda Nurseries, a family run poinsettia wholesale business located in beautiful Langley, BC. Tamara invited me over to her place to tour the workings of her poinsettia operation.

Tamara's blog, The GreenHouse Diaries is HERE. She's one funny and amazing gal!

However, first up was lunch. So I'm treating you to a stunning picture heavy post that deserves it's own space.

We had lunch at Little White House, located in historic Fort Langley, BC. This is a true blue heritage home that houses an 'elegant rustic restaurant' and glam store, all in one.

(2 tiered lunch, ate finger style, fun!)

First order of the day was a lunch deemed 'high tea'. There's two of everything and it is the most exquisite homemade finger food styled lunch I've ever had.

I know. Trust me, I know.

We both chuckled over the optional champagne. We decided on coffee instead until Tamara heard champagne was a high rarity for me. She promptly turned that around and treated us to this cute little bottle that held exactly two glasses, one for each of us.

It was wonderful!

(tastefully stenciled walls)

Cheers to glam lunches and girls talkin' dreams!

We had a great time getting to know each other. But I'll admit I requested a moment of silence more than once while I sank my teeth into those amazing morsels...

(massive and elegant mirror, HUGE juxtaposition between styles)

This is where we sat. Rustic? Meet Glamour.

(stencils different, framing window, window frames black to bring in floors)

(lamps on some tables)

Gorgeous wall which included two barn doors.

Tamara is a busy gal. I caught her on film a few times doing something like this... LOVE this shot!

No worries, I cut out on her first. I needed to keep picking up my camera so we made a great tag team. :)

Ready? It only gets better.

(two chandeliers rather than one central)

The restaurant had differently themed eating areas. When Tamara asked me which one I liked best, you can BET I screamed "THIS ONE!"

(ladder on rafters for added rustic detailing)

I adore how the ceiling was removed only to leave it vaulted. My next home will have a vaulted ceiling. I just love the height.

(painted plywood floors, elegant style with rustic execution)

Painted plywood floors. It couldn't be easier! Stain, tape your lines, paint, lift tape, done. I love this 3 tone method and would LOVE to implement this in my downstairs office one day overtop the cement... oh yes. This too shall be mine one day.

(upscale room called for upscale floors, same style)

Here's the formal eating area, complete with mirrored tables. Every square inch was stunning.

And there was so much more to The White House other than the amazing food.

Let's take a walk...

(modern twist - woodwork painted out blackish brown against white)

.... through the store. Each room in the home was decked out in gorgeous gift items and home decor. Soooo many ideas you DIY gals and shoppers alike will LOVE.

Do take your time with each photo, taking in every single object. There's a wealth of inspiration here.

(ceiling beams marry the floors and woodwork)

BUSTED. heehee! 

Then again, I was looking through the camera again wasn't I... yeah well...

(linen styled bed, head to toe)

(mirrors along ledge further brighten dark areas, white window hugged by dark mouldings)

I fell head over heels in LOVE with the architectural woodwork of this entire home. All windows, framework and mouldings are original and can easily be copied. I'd love to try my hand at recreating that beefy window frame.

Note the bird cage styled mirror.. it was so cool.

(iron scroll work in windows - if it's a security thing, it sure looks great!)

I grew up with a living room window just like this and didn't appreciate it for 1 minute when at home. What was I thinking!!!

(birdhouse and outdoor gable theme = perfection)

The bed was magnificently themed. And that ledge above the wainscotting is such a wonderful setting for mirrors.

(height of headboard works well with scale of bed)

I love this room. And I love the fact that it had two mismatched chandeliers. Quirky elegance.

(surprising yellow pieces in an otherwise all white room)

How fun was it to shop together! 

(typography fabric)

I need that fabric! And a sewer. 

Tamara fell in love with these cutlery prints on canvas. I suggested we make some with real cutlery and frame it out with a nice beefy rustic wood frame. That's when the workshop talk fired up!

Would you attend a workshop in a really cool barn styled store making something like this with your own two hands using power tools, then going for a swanky lunch at this place, then head out for a little junkin' as a group? I sure would!

These reminded me of a crochet game. Hmmm... maybe...

(colored sheet music paper flower wreath on card stock or glued on something thicker)

(white Christmas tree further illuminates a room with few windows)

(bulletin board OVER grain sack print, days of the week labelled chalkboard hooks)

(tufted headboard on more than one wall)

(quirky lamp with receipt shade)

It's physically painful, isn't it?

(a wreath in each window, sitting on sill, above window detailing, TALL curtains off window area)

Sweet... a clock faced knob.

(boa Christmas trees)

Little White House was a truly wonderful place to treat ourselves to something special. Tamara, thanks again for the incredible time! It truly was a lunch to remember.

But this was only the start of our ultimate girl's day out. Stay tuned for Parts 2, 3, and 4. NO ultimate day can only get away with one post... :)

Part 2 - A very colourful tour

Part 3 - We decorate a barn store

Part 4 - Decorating my own home

Join Tamara's Great Poinsettia Decorating Challenge linkup for a chance to win a  fab $50 dinner!

Do you have a special place nearby that is hard to forget? Do tell!